![]() http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2200637.jpg> Tom Gallagher, Africa, 1997 (All photos courtesy Charlie Pacheco) |
The Archery Wire offers this premise: One would be hard-pressed to identify a man as equally respected, admired and quite simply, liked as a human being among those in the archery and hunting gear industry who have worked with him over the course of the past few decades than Tom Gallagher of Cabela's.
And today, March 31, his final day on the job as Senior Director of Merchandising for the Hunting, Archery and Optics Departments in Sidney, Neb., we offer him a well-deserved tribute from a few of his peers, friends and associates.
Just about anyone involved in the sales and marketing of bows and arrows over the last 40 years has probably worked with Tom Gallagher on some level. Before heading to Cabela's in the 1990s he worked for major archery retailer/distributor Frontier Archery in Sacramento – and prior to 1984 he worked in wholesale at Bonnie Bowman in San Leandro, Calif. He has had a love affair with archery and hunting since his youth.
Gallagher began his 20-year stint with Cabela's in 1995 as the Archery and Optics Product Manager. In 2002, he was promoted to Merchandising Manager of Archery, Optics, Auto and ATVs before becoming Director of Merchandising for the same categories in 2005. During Project Outfitter in 2009, he became Director of Merchandising for Hunting, Archery and the Optics. In 2011 he was inducted into the Treestand Manufactures Association Hall of Fame (TMA) and to date is the only retail merchant to have been so honored.
Here's what others around the bow-and-arrow business told The Archery Wire they wanted to say about Mr. Gallagher on his final day of work before retirement:
"Tom is a legend in the hunting industry and I am very proud to have worked with him. Tom's future will include spending more time with his family and friends, along with some well-deserved time in the field hunting which has always been his true passion in life."
- Sean Streff, VP Merchandising Hunting, Cabela's Inc. (Gallagher's boss)
"Tom is as knowledgeable and passionate about the hunting industry as anyone I have ever met. I've had the honor of hunting with Tom several times, and got to see first hand his respect not only for the sport itself but also for the outdoor industry. He is a true class act and will be missed by everyone he has worked with."
– Chris Griffin, Realtree VP of Retail and Sales
![]() http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2200639.jpg> Quebec caribou, 1991 |
"Tom is one of the finest human beings God ever put on this Earth. I have known Tom since our days in college. Nearly 40 years now. His name is at the top of every list I can make. People with integrity, people with the highest ethics, people who are the most respected, people who are genuinely good human beings. I wish him the best."
- Richard L. Bednar, President/CEO-Chairman, TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
"I'm both proud and privileged to have had Tom Gallagher as a close personal friend and hunting buddy for over 35 years. What I don't like about Tom is that you literally have to drag a hunting yarn out of him because he's not one to 'toot his own horn.' Even though he's a highly respected businessman in the archery and outdoors industry and has enjoyed enviable successes afield with both gun and bow, he has no ego to feed, nor the need or desire to brag. That's a good thing too, as I remind him often that I have enough ego for the both of us. Whether we bag anything or not, we have a great time. Tom has a great saying, 'hey, who has more fun than us?'"
- Charlie Pacheco, longtime archery pro staffer
"I've known Tom since the early 80s when he was with Frontier Archery in California. Always down to earth as a person and businessman, I have the upmost respect and admiration for Tom and felt it a privilege to have known and worked with him."
- Jeff Howard, Sales Manager, Easton Technologies
"In 2014 the 'box stores' were voted onto the ATA (Archery Trade Association) Board of Directors and Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops joined us at our January, 2014 meeting. As I look back on the first year of the mega marts joining into our industry discussions, I have to say that if anyone other than Tom Gallagher had been involved, we would not have had such a smooth and productive first year. With his cohort in crime, Dean Snelson, Tom quietly and in his unassuming, disarming way (which is his manner) allowed our Board members to see that the box stores shared in our future and, more important, were serious about contributing to the success of the archery and bowhunting industry."
- Jay MacAninch, CEO, Archery Trade Association
![]() http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2200635.jpg> Cabela's goose pits, near the Platte River, Nebraska, 1993 |
"Tom Gallagher has been an incredible asset to our industry going back to his start with the Erlandsons at Frontier Archery in California through his career at Cabela's. Everyone will miss Tom but wish him a great and well-deserved retirement."
- Rob Kaufhold, President, Lancaster Archery Supply
"For a guy who climbed the ranks of one of the country's largest outdoor companies, Tom has never lost his sense of humor or his humility. He's always been an 'everyman' bowhunter, the kind of guy we need more of. He may be leaving Cabela's, but like a lot of us old-timers, I sure hope he doesn't leave the industry completely."
- Bob Robb, Editor, Grand View Media
"Tom has always been extremely fair to vendors and straightforward when doing business. Since working with Tom on the NGO side of industry, he has been an ardent pioneer for safety involving the treestand industry. Tom made sure treestands marketed for sale were manufactured to the highest standards and that all Cabela's staff were kept up to date on the latest safety techniques and proper use of elevated stands and accessories. Tom leaves a legacy of insightfulness and fairness to the world of big business."
- Marilyn Bentz, Exec. Dir., National Bowhunter Education Foundation
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Tom for more than 25 years. From his time at Frontier Archery to his office at Cabela's, he has worked hard promoting the sport we all enjoy. I speak for many when I say thanks for all the sacrifices and contributions you have made to this sport. Enjoy the 'golden years,' you have earned it."
- Jack Bowman, President, Bear Archery
"Character and respect is how I describe Tom. What I will always remember most about Tom Gallagher is how he consistently maintains integrity and always takes the high road. Over my career, I called on Tom for advice on many occasions and he would always reduce the situation to a choice that was always obvious. 'Take the high road.' Tom set a standard for all he touched. I have been privileged to work with Tom as a manufacturer, and also served on the Board of TMA (Treestand Manufacturers Assn.) alongside Tom for 6 yrs. During these years, I have seen Tom actively involved in making difficult decisions. All the members of TMA were served well by Tom. I know I speak for so many when I say Tom Gallagher is going to be missed dearly."
- Jerry Wydner, Owner, Hunter Safety System, Inc.
Here at The Archery Wire, our weekly columns don't come much easier to write than this one, as we actually had to cut short a few of the contributors who so graciously submitted their thoughts and well wishes to one of the industry's best-liked executives. We hope the appearance of today's feature comes as a surprise for Tom (everyone was supposed to keep the secret!).
However, it's no secret Gallagher's impeccable standards and contributions to the archery and hunting industry will be missed when he cleans out his desk this afternoon, says his final goodbye to his co-workers and heads home.
For now, it's adios, Tom, but we hope it's not goodbye.
-J.R. Absher
